Lighting Device that Deactivates Dangerous Pathogens While Providing Visually Appealing Light

ABSTRACT

A lighting system configured to provide light and disinfect air in an environment. The lighting system includes an HVAC unit configured to provide air to the environment, and a lighting device configured to deactivate microorganisms in the air. The lighting device includes a housing, means for mounting the housing to a surface in the environment, one or more first light-emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength in a first range of wavelengths, and one or more second light-emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength in a second range of wavelengths different from the first range of wavelengths. The disinfecting light produced by the first light-emitting elements and the disinfecting light produced by the second light-emitting elements mix to form a combined light, the combined light being visible light other than white light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/485,926 entitled “Single-Emitter Lighting Device thatOutputs a Minimum Amount of Power to Produce Integrated Radiance ValuesSufficient for Deactivating Pathogens,” and filed on Apr. 12, 2017,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/178,349,entitled “Single-Emitter Lighting Device that Outputs a Minimum Amountof Power to Produce Integrated Radiance Values Sufficient forDeactivating Pathogens,” and filed on Jun. 9, 2016, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/185,391, entitled“Lamp or Fixture Enclosure for Delivering Radiation,” and filed on Jun.26, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/190,113,entitled “Lighting Device for Deactivating Pathogens,” and filed on Jul.8, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to lighting devices and, moreparticularly, to a lighting device that deactivates dangerous pathogenswhile providing visually appealing light.

BACKGROUND

Pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, are responsible fornumerous diseases or infections, including some very dangerous andpotentially fatal diseases and infections, that affect humans, animals,and plants. Environments, such as health-care environments (e.g.,hospitals) and restaurants, are particularly susceptible to thetransmission or spread of such pathogens. Indeed, healthcare associatedinfections (HAIs), which are caused by pathogens, such asMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridiumdifficile (C. difficile), and mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmittedthrough, for example, the air, person-to-person contact, and skinshedding in healthcare environments, are an increasingly dangerousproblem for the healthcare industry. According to the Center for DiseaseControl and Prevention, HAIs cause at least 1.7 million illnesses and99,000 deaths in acute care hospitals in the U.S. alone every year.Pathogens can also serve to spoil food products (e.g., fruits,vegetables) and result in the loss of goods and raw materials in variousindustrial processes, for example chemical processing, brewing anddistillation, food packaging, and other processes that requirenon-contaminated environments.

Significant resources have already been committed to preventing andcontrolling pathogens in these environments, but to this point, theseresources have not yielded the desired results. Some existing methods ofpathogen control, e.g., those involving hygiene, have proven to belabor-intensive, difficult to monitor, and, most importantly, of limitedeffectiveness (e.g., are only temporarily effective, only deactivatesome pathogens). Other known methods of pathogen control, e.g., thoseinvolving UV-light, ozone and chemical fumigation, while successful, aretoxic to humans. Thus, environments requiring decontamination must besealed off and cannot be used during the process.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a lighting deviceconfigured to deactivate pathogens in an environment. The lightingdevice includes a housing, means for mounting the housing to a surfacein the environment, one or more first light-emitting elements includingone or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in the housing andconfigured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength in afirst range of wavelengths, and one or more second light-emittingelements arranged in the housing and configured to each producedisinfecting light having a wavelength in a second range of wavelengthsdifferent from the first range of wavelengths. The disinfecting lightproduced by the LEDs and the disinfecting light produced by the secondlight-emitting elements mix to form a combined light, the combined lightbeing visible light other than white light.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a lighting deviceconfigured to deactivate pathogens in an environment: The lightingdevice configured to deactivate pathogens in an environment. Thelighting device includes a housing, means for mounting the housing to asurface in the environment, one or more first light-emitting elementsincluding one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in thehousing and configured to each produce disinfecting light having awavelength in a first range of wavelengths, and one or more secondlight-emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to eachproduce disinfecting light having a wavelength in a second range ofwavelengths different from the first range of wavelengths. Thedisinfecting light produced by the LEDs and the disinfecting lightproduced by the second light-emitting elements mix to form a combinedlight, the combined light being visible light other than white light.The lighting device also includes means for maintaining a junctiontemperature of the one or more LEDs below a maximum operatingtemperature of the one or more LEDs, and means for directing thedisinfecting light produced by the one or more LEDs and the disinfectinglight produced by the one or more second light-emitting elements.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system configured toprovide light and disinfect air in an environment. The system includesan HVAC unit configured to provide air to the environment, and alighting device configured to deactivate microorganisms in the air. Thelighting device includes a housing, means for mounting the housing to asurface in the environment, one or more first light-emitting elementsincluding one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in thehousing and configured to each produce disinfecting light having awavelength in a first range of wavelengths, and one or more secondlight-emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to eachproduce disinfecting light having a wavelength in a second range ofwavelengths different from the first range of wavelengths. Thedisinfecting light produced by the LEDs and the disinfecting lightproduced by the second light-emitting elements mix to form a combinedlight, the combined light being visible light other than white light.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method. The methodincludes providing air to an environment via an HVAC unit. The methodalso includes deactivating microorganisms in the air in the environmentvia a lighting device, the lighting device including a housing, meansfor mounting the housing to a surface in the environment, one or morefirst light-emitting elements including one or more light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) arranged in the housing and configured to each producedisinfecting light having a wavelength in a first range of wavelengths,and one or more second light-emitting elements arranged in the housingand configured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength ina second range of wavelengths different from the first range ofwavelengths, wherein the disinfecting light produced by the one or moreLEDs and the disinfecting light produced by the one or more secondlight-emitting elements mix to form a combined light, the combined lightcomprising visible light other than white light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the United States Patent andTrademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, andexplain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and employed inan environment susceptible to the transmission of pathogens.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of the environment of FIG. 1including a lighting device constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present disclosure, the lighting device configured to deactivatepathogens in that portion of the environment.

FIG. 3A illustrates the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram.

FIG. 3B is a close-up, partial view of the diagram of FIG. 3A, showing arange of curves of white visible light that can be output by thelighting device of FIG. 2 such that the lighting device can providevisually appealing, unobjectionable white light.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of one exemplary version of the lighting deviceof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the lighting device of FIGS. 4A and 4B,showing a first plurality of light-emitting elements configured todeactivate pathogens.

FIG. 4D is a partial, close-up view of a portion of the lighting deviceof FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the lighting device of FIGS. 4A-4Dinstalled in a receiving structure of the environment.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of another exemplary version of the lightingdevice of FIG. 2, showing a second plurality of light-emitting elementsconfigured to deactivate pathogens.

FIG. 6B is a partial, close-up view of a portion of the lighting deviceof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary version of the lighting device ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary version of the lighting device ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is another cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG.9A, showing a first plurality of light-emitting elements configured toemit light that deactivates pathogens and a second plurality oflight-emitting elements configured to emit light that blends with lightemitted by the first plurality of light-emitting elements to produce avisually appealing visible light;

FIG. 9D is a block diagram of various electrical components of thelighting device of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E illustrates visually appealing white visible light that can beoutput by the lighting device of FIG. 9A when the environment isoccupied;

FIG. 9F illustrates disinfecting light that can be output by thelighting device of FIG. 9A when the environment is not occupied;

FIG. 9G illustrates one example of how the lighting device of FIGS.9A-9D can be controlled responsive to various dimming settings;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10B is similar to FIG. 10A, but with a lens of the lighting deviceremoved so as to show a plurality of lighting elements;

FIG. 10C is a top view of FIG. 10B;

FIG. 10D is a close-up view of one of the plurality of lighting elementsof FIGS. 10B and 10C;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11B is similar to FIG. 11A, but with a lens of the lighting deviceremoved so as to show a plurality of lighting elements;

FIG. 11C is a top view of FIG. 11B;

FIG. 11D is a close-up view of one of the plurality of lighting elementsof FIGS. 11B and 11C;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C is another cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG.12A, showing a first plurality of light-emitting elements configured toemit light that deactivates pathogens and a second plurality oflight-emitting elements configured to emit light that also deactivatespathogens but blends with light emitted by the first plurality oflight-emitting elements to produce a visually appealing visible light;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a healthcare environment that includes alighting device constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure and installed in a first room of the environment, andan HVAC unit that provides air to the first room and a second room inthe healthcare environment;

FIG. 14A is a chart depicting the results of a study on a healthcareenvironment configured like the environment of FIG. 13, showing abacterial reduction and a decrease in surgical site infections in theenvironment following installation of a lighting device constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure in thehealthcare environment;

FIG. 14B graphically depicts the bacterial reduction listed in the chartof FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A illustrates one example of a distribution of radiometric powerby a lighting device constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15B illustrates a plot of one example of light distribution from alighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 15C illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 15D illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 15E illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 15F depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 15B;

FIG. 15G depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 15C;

FIG. 15H depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 15D;

FIG. 15I depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 15E;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of providing doses oflight sufficient to deactivate dangerous pathogens throughout avolumetric space over a period of time; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary version of a controldevice constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a lighting system 50 that may be implemented or includedin an environment 54, such as, for example, a hospital, a doctor'soffice, an examination room, a laboratory, a nursing home, a healthclub, a retail store (e.g., grocery store), a restaurant, or other spaceor building, or portions thereof, where it is desirable to both provideillumination and to reduce, and ideally eliminate, the existence andspread of the pathogens described above.

The lighting system 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 generally includes aplurality of lighting devices 58, a plurality of bridge devices 62, aserver 66, and one or more client devices 70 configured to connect tothe server 66 via one or more networks 74. Of course, if desired, thelighting system 50 can include more or less components and/or differentcomponents. For example, the lighting system 50 need not necessarilyinclude bridge devices 62 and/or client devices 70.

Each of the lighting devices 58 is installed in or at the environment 54and includes one or more light-emitting components, such aslight-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs,laser diodes, or plasma lights, that, when powered, (i) illuminate anarea of the environment 54 proximate to or in vicinity of the respectivelighting device 58, and (ii) deliver sufficient doses of visible lightto deactivate pathogens in the illuminated area, as will be describedbelow. In one version, the lighting devices 58 can be uniformlyconstructed. In another version, the lighting devices 58 can vary intype, shape, and/or size. As an example, the lighting system 50 canemploy various combinations of the different lighting devices describedherein.

The bridge devices 62 are, at least in this example, located at theenvironment 54 and are communicatively connected (e.g., via wired and/orwireless connections) to one or more of the lighting devices 58. In thelighting system 50 illustrated in FIG. 1, four bridge devices 62 areutilized, with each bridge device 62 connected to three differentlighting devices 58. In other examples, more or less bridge devices 62can be connected to more or less lighting devices 58.

The server 66 may be any type of server, such as, for example, anapplication server, a database server, a file server, a web server, orother server). The server 66 may include one or more computers and/ormay be part of a larger network of servers. The server 66 iscommunicatively connected (e.g., via wired and/or wireless connections)to the bridge devices 62. The server 66 can be located remotely (e.g.,in the “cloud”) from the lighting devices 58 and the client devices 70and may include one or more processors, controller modules (e.g., acentral controller 76), or the like that are configured to facilitatevarious communications and commands among the client devices 70, thebridge devices 62, and the lighting devices 58. As such, the server 66can generate and send commands or instructions to the lighting devices58 to implement various sets of lighting settings corresponding tooperation of the lighting devices 58. Each set of lighting settings mayinclude various parameters or settings including, for example, spectralcharacteristics, operating modes (e.g., examination mode, disinfectionmode, blended mode, nighttime mode, daytime mode, etc.), dim levels,output wattages, intensities, timeouts, and/or the like, whereby eachset of lighting settings may also include a schedule or table specifyingwhich settings should be used based on the time of day, day or week,natural light levels, occupancy, and/or other parameters. The server 66can also receive and monitor data, such as operating status, lightemission data (e.g., what and when light was emitted), hardwareinformation, occupancy data, daylight levels, temperature, powerconsumption, and dosing data, from the lighting devices 58 via thebridge devices 62. In some cases, this data can be recorded and used toform or generate reports, e.g., a report indicative of thecharacteristics of the light emitted by one or more of the lightingdevices 58. Such reports may, for example, be useful in evidencing thatthe environment 54 was, at or during various periods of time, deliveringsufficient doses of visible light to deactivate pathogens in theilluminated area.

The network(s) 74 may be any type of wired, wireless, or wireless andwired network, such as, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), or other network. Thenetwork(s) 74 can facilitate any type of data communication via anystandard or technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA, TDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EDGE, OFDM,GPRS, EV-DO, UWB, IEEE 802 including Ethernet, WiMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth®,and others).

The client device(s) 70 may be any type of electronic device, such as asmartphone, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a phablet, a smartwatch, smart glasses, wearable electronics, a pager, a personal digitalassistant, or any other electronic device, including computing devicesconfigured for wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. The clientdevice(s) 70 may support a graphical user interface (GUI), whereby auser of the client device(s) 70 may use the GUI to select variousoperations, change settings, view operation statuses and reports, makeupdates, configure email/text alert notifications, and/or perform otherfunctions. The client device(s) 70 may transmit, via the network(s) 74,the server 66, and the bridge device(s) 62, any updated light settingsto the lighting devices 58 for implementation and/or storage thereon.The client device(s) 70 may facilitate data communications via a gatewayaccess point that may be connected to the bridge device(s) 62. In oneimplementation, the gateway access point may be a cellular access pointthat includes a gateway, an industrial Ethernet switch, and a cellularrouter integrated into a sealed enclosure. Further, the gateway accesspoint may be secured using HTTPS with a self-signed certificate foraccess to web services, and may push/pull data between various websites,the one or more bridge devices 62, and the lighting devices 58.

FIG. 2 illustrates a healthcare environment 100 that includes one of thelighting devices 58, taking the form of a lighting device 104constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The healthcareenvironment 100, which can, for example, be or include an examinationroom, an operating room, a bathroom, a hallway, a waiting room, a closetor other storage area, a Clean room, or a portion thereof, is generallysusceptible to the spread of dangerous pathogens, as discussed above.

Laboratory studies have shown that specially configured doses of narrowspectrum visible light (e.g., light having a wavelength between 400 nmand 420 nm, light having a wavelength of between 460 nm and 480 nm,light having a wavelength of between 530 nm and 580 nm, light having awavelength of between 600 nm and 650 nm) can, when delivered atsufficiently high dosage levels , effectively deactivate (or destroy)dangerous pathogens. However, these doses tend to have a distracting orobjectionable aesthetic impact in or upon the environment to which theyare delivered. For example, these doses may provide an output of lightthat is undesirable when performing surgery in the healthcareenvironment 100. As another example, occupants of environments such asthe healthcare environment 100 have, when subject to light having awavelength of 405 nm, complained of disorientation, headaches, andinsomnia. Thus, it has proven difficult to incorporate these doses intolighting devices that can simultaneously deactivate pathogens andilluminate an environment (e.g., the healthcare environment 100) in anon-objectionable manner. Instead, doses of narrow spectrum visiblelight are typically only delivered in when the environment isunoccupied, thereby severely limiting the deactivation potential of suchlighting devices.

The lighting device 104 described herein is configured to deliver dosesof narrow spectrum visible light at power levels sufficiently highenough to effectively deactivate dangerous pathogens in the healthcareenvironment 100 (or other environment), and, at the same time, providevisible light that sufficiently illuminates the environment 100 (orother environment) in a safe and unobjectionable manner. The lightingdevice 104 accomplishes both of these tasks without using aphotosensitizer.

More specifically, the lighting device 104 provides or delivers (e.g.,outputs, emits) at least 3,000 mW (or 3 W) of disinfecting light, whichhas a wavelength in the range of approximately 380 nm to approximately420 nm (more particularly between 400 nm and 420 nm, e.g., about 405nm), a wavelength in the range of approximately 460 nm to 480 nm (e.g.,a wavelength of about 470 nm), a wavelength in the range of 530 nm to580 nm, a wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 650 nm, or combinationsthereof, to the environment 100, as it will be appreciated that doses oflight having a wavelength in these ranges but delivered at power levelslower than 3,000 mW are generally ineffective in deactivating dangerouspathogens. The lighting device 104 may, for example, provide or deliver3,000 mW, 4,000 mW (or 4 W), 5,000 mW (or 5 W), 6,000 mW (or 6 W), 7,000mW (or 7 W), 10,500 mW (or 10.5 W), or some other level of disinfectinglight above 3,000 mW. Thus, for example, the light provided by thelighting device 104 may have a component of spectral energy measured inthe 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range that is greater than 10%, 15%, or20%. In one example, the light may have a component of spectral energymeasured in the 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range that is greater than16%. The lighting device 104 also provides or delivers levels ofdisinfecting light such that the air and any exposed surfaces within theenvironment 100 are subject to a desired, minimum power density whilethe lighting device 104 is used for deactivation, thereby ensuring thatthe environment 100 is adequately disinfected. This desired, minimumpower density is the minimum power, measured in mW, received per unitarea, measured in cm². This minimum power density within the applicablebandwidth(s) of visible light (e.g., 400-420 nm, 460-480 nm, 530-580 nm,600-650 nm) may be referred to, as it is herein, as the minimumintegrated irradiance. The minimum integrated irradiance of thedisinfecting light provided by the lighting device 104, which in thisexample is measured from any exposed surface or unshielded point (e.g.,air) in the environment 100 that is 1.5 m from any point on anyexternal-most luminous surface 102 of the lighting device 104 but may inother examples be measured from a different distance (e.g., 0.3 m) fromany external-most luminous surface 102, nadir, any unshielded point inthe environment 100, or some other point, is generally equal to a valuebetween 0.01 mW/cm² and 10 mW/cm². The minimum integrated irradiancemay, for example, be equal to 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², 0.35 mW/cm², 0.40 mW/cm²,0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm², 0.55 mW/cm², 0.60 mW/cm², 0.65 mW/cm², 0.70mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80 mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm², 0.90 mW/cm², 0.95 mW/cm²,1.00 mW/cm², or some other value in the above-specified range. When theminimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light provided by thelighting device 104 is measured or determined over time (the period oftime over which the lighting device 104 is used for deactivation), theexposed surfaces or unshielded points in the environment 100 will besubject to a disinfecting dose that is equal to at least 0.06 J/cm²,which laboratory studies have shown is sufficient for deactivatingdangerous pathogens in the environment 100.

At the same time, the lighting device 104 provides an output of visiblelight that is aesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, tohumans (e.g., patients, personnel) in and around the environment 100. Insome applications, the lighting device 104 may provide an output ofvisible light that is perceived by humans in and around the environment100 as white light, with properties that studies have shown to beaesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, to humans, and hasa disinfection component including disinfecting light (i.e., the narrowspectrum visible light discussed above). While the exact properties ofthe white light may vary depending on the given application, theproperties generally include one or more of the following: (1) adesirable color rendering index, e.g., a color rendering index ofgreater than 70, greater than 80, or greater than 90; (2) a desirablecorrelated color temperature, e.g., a color temperature of betweenapproximately 1500 degrees Kelvin and 7000 degrees Kelvin, moreparticularly between approximately 1800 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin,between approximately 2100 degrees and 6000 degrees Kelvin, betweenapproximately 2700 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin, or some othertemperature or range of temperatures within these ranges or partially ortotally outside of these ranges; or (3) a desirable chromaticity. Inother applications, the lighting device 104 may provide an output ofvisible light that is perceived by humans in and around the environment100 as unobjectionable non-white light, with properties that studieshave shown to be aesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, tohumans, and has a disinfection component including disinfecting light.As an example, the output of visible light may be non-white, but alsonon-violet, light. It will be appreciated that the output of visiblelight may be entirely formed of disinfecting light that is mixedtogether in a manner that yields unobjectionable non-white light or onlypartially formed of disinfecting light that is mixed withnon-disinfecting light in a manner that yields unobjectionable non-whitelight. As with white light, the exact properties of the unobjectionablenon-white light may vary depending on the given application, but theproperties generally include one or more of the following: (1) adesirable color rendering index, e.g., a color rendering index ofgreater than 70, greater than 80, or greater than 90; (2) a desirablecolor temperature, e.g., a color temperature of between approximately1500 degrees Kelvin and 7000 degrees Kelvin, more particularly betweenapproximately 1800 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin, betweenapproximately 2100 degrees and 6000 degrees Kelvin, betweenapproximately 2700 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin, or some othertemperature or range of temperatures within these ranges or partially ortotally outside of these ranges; or (3) a desirable chromaticity.

Chromaticity can be described relative to any number of differentchromaticity diagrams, such as, for example, the 1931 CIE ChromaticityDiagram, the 1960 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, or the 1976 CIE ChromaticityDiagram shown in FIG. 3A. The aesthetically pleasing light output by thelighting device 104 can thus be described as having properties relativeto or based on these chromaticity diagrams. As illustrated in, forexample, FIG. 3B, the lighting device 104 may output white light havingu′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram (FIG. 3A) thatlie on any number of different curves relative to a planckian locus 105defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 color standard. The ANSI C78.377-2015color standard generally describes the range of color mixing thatcreates pleasing, or visually appealing, white light. This range isgenerally defined by the planckian locus 105, which is also known as ablackbody curve, with some deviation, measured in Duv, above or belowthe planckian locus 105. The different curves on which the u′, v′coordinates of the white light output can lie deviate from the planckianlocus 106 by different Duv values, depending upon the given application.The white light may, for example, lie on a curve 106A that is 0.035 Duvabove the planckian locus 105, on a curve 106B that is 0.035 Duv below(−0.035 Duv) the planckian locus 105, on a curve 107 that is 0.02 Duvbelow (−0.02 Duv) the planckian locus 105, on a curve that is 0.02 Duvabove the planckian locus, or some other curve between 0.035 Duv aboveand 0.035 Duv below the planckian locus 105. As also illustrated in FIG.3B, the lighting device 104 may, for example, output non-white lighthaving u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram that lieoutside of an area that is bounded (i) vertically between the curve 106Aand the curve 106B, a curve 109A that is 0.007 Duv above the planckianlocus 105 and a curve 109B that is 0.007 Duv below (−0.007 Duv) theplanckian locus 105, or other curves, and (ii) horizontally between acolor temperature isoline of between approximately 1500 K and 7000 K.

The lighting device 104 is, in some cases, fully enclosed, whichpromotes cleanliness, by, for example, preventing pathogens from nestingon or within internal components of the lighting device 104, which wouldotherwise be hard to reach with the specially configured narrow spectrumvisible light. In other words, in these cases, no surface internal tothe lighting device 104 is exposed to the environment 100 surroundingthe lighting device 104, such that dangerous pathogens cannot reside onsurfaces hidden from the narrow spectrum visible light.

As will be described herein, the lighting device 104 includes one ormore light-emitting elements, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs),configured to emit light as desired. The lighting device 104 optionallyincludes means for directing the emitted light. The means for directingthe emitted light may, for example, include one or more reflectors, oneor more lenses, one or more diffusers, and/or one or more othercomponents. In some examples, e.g., when LEDs are employed in thelighting device, the lighting device 104 can include a means formaintaining a junction temperature of the LEDs below a maximum operatingtemperature of the LEDs. The means for maintaining a junctiontemperature may, for example, include one or more heat sinks, one ormore metallic bands, spreading heat to printed circuit boards coupled tothe LEDs, a constant-current driver topology, a thermal feedback systemto one or more drivers (that power the LEDs) via NTC thermistor, orother means that reduce LED drive current at sensed elevatedtemperatures. Moreover, the lighting device 104 optionally includesmeans for creating air convection proximate to the lighting device 104so as to facilitate circulation of disinfected air away from thelighting device 104 and air that has not been disinfected toward thelighting device 104. The means for creating air convection may, forexample, include one or more fans (part of or separate from the lightingdevice 104), one or more heat sinks, one or more channels formed in thelighting device 104, or other means. The lighting device 104 can furtherinclude an occupancy sensor 108, a daylight sensor 112, one or morecommunication modules 116, and one or more control components 120, e.g.,a local controller. The lighting device 104 can optionally include oneor more additional sensors, e.g., two occupancy sensors 108, a sensorthat measures the light output by the device 104, etc.

In this version, the occupancy sensor 108 is an infrared (IR) motionsensor that detects motion within a pre-determined range of or distancefrom (e.g., 50 feet) the lighting device 104, so as to identify (or helpidentify) whether the environment 100 is occupied or is vacant (i.e.,not occupied) and has been occupied or vacant for a period of time(e.g., a predetermined period of time, such as 15 minutes, 30 minutes,etc.). The occupancy sensor 108 may continuously monitor the environment100 to determine whether the environment 100 is occupied. In otherversions, the occupancy sensor 108 can be a different type of sensor,e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, a microwave sensor, a CO₂ sensor, a thermalimaging sensor, that utilizes a different occupancy detection techniqueor technology to identify (or help identify) whether the environment 100is or is not occupied and has or has not been occupied for a period oftime. In some versions, multiple occupancy sensors 108 that detectoccupancy using different detection techniques or technologies can beemployed to provide for a more robust detection. As an example, thelighting device 104 can include one infrared motion sensor and one CO2sensor, which utilize different techniques or technologies to detectoccupancy. The daylight sensor 112, meanwhile, is configured to detectnatural light within a pre-determined range of or distance from (e.g.,50 feet) the lighting device 104, so as to identify whether it isdaytime or nighttime (and thus, whether the environment 100 is or is notoccupied).

The lighting device 104 can, responsive to occupancy data obtained bythe occupancy sensor 108 and/or natural light data obtained by thedaylight sensor 112, be controlled by the local controller 120 (or othercontrol components) to emit visible light of or having variouscharacteristics. The lighting device 104 can, for example, responsive todata indicating that the environment 100 is vacant (i.e., not occupied),be controlled so as to output visible light consisting only of thespecially configured narrow spectrum visible light. In some cases, thenarrow spectrum visible light is only output after the lighting device104 determines that the environment 100 has been vacant for apre-determined period of time (e.g., 30 minutes), thereby providing afail-safe that ensures that the environment 100 is indeed vacant. Thelighting device 104 can, via the communication module(s) 116, becommunicatively connected to and controlled by the remotely locatedserver 66 (as well as remotely located client devices 70) and/or becommunicatively connected to other lighting devices 58. As such, thelighting device 104 may transmit data, such as operating status (e.g.,the operating mode), light emission data, hardware information,occupancy data, daylight levels, output wattages, temperature, powerconsumption, to the server 66 and/or other lighting devices 58, and mayreceive, from the server 66, other lighting devices 58, and/or theclient devices 70, operational instructions (e.g., turn on, turn off,provide light of a different spectral characteristic, switch betweenoperating modes) and/or other data (e.g., operational data from or aboutthe other lighting devices 58).

It will be appreciated that the lighting device 104 can be manuallycontrolled (e.g., by a user of the lighting device 104) and/orautomatically controlled responsive to other settings, parameters, ordata in place of or in addition to the data obtained by the occupancysensor 108 and/or the daylight sensor 112. The lighting device 104 may,for example, be partially or entirely controlled by the local controller120 (or other control components) responsive to an operating mode, a dimlevel, a schedule or a table, or other parameter(s) or setting(s)received by the local controller 120 (or other control component(s)).

In some versions, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2, the lightingdevice 104 can include a dosing or deactivation feedback system 124 thatmonitors and records the amount and frequency of dosing delivered by thelighting device 104. The dosing feedback system 124 is, in this version,implemented by the local controller 120, though the dosing feedbacksystem 124 can be implemented using other components (e.g., a suitableprocessor and memory) in the lighting device 104 or can be implementedvia the server 66. In any event, the dosing feedback system 124 achievesthe aforementioned aims by monitoring and recording the variousparameters or settings of and associated with the lighting device 104over a period of time. More specifically, the dosing feedback system 124monitors and records the spectral characteristics, the output wattages,wavelengths, and/or intensities of the light (or components thereof)emitted by the lighting device 104, the minimum integrated irradiance ofthe disinfecting narrow spectrum visible light provided by the lightingdevice 104, occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensor 108, theamount of time the lighting device 104 has spent in various operatingmodes (e.g., examination mode), dim levels, and the like. As an example,the dosing feedback system 124 monitors and records when the lightingdevice 104 emits visible light that includes or solely consists ofdisinfecting narrow spectrum visible light (e.g., light having awavelength between 400 nm and 420 nm, light having a wavelength between460 nm and 480 nm, light having a wavelength of between 530 nm and 580nm, light having a wavelength of between 600 nm and 650 nm, orcombinations thereof), as well as the levels and density (and moreparticularly the minimum integrated irradiance) of disinfecting narrowspectrum visible light delivered during those times. Based on theparameters or settings of the lighting device 104, the dosing feedbacksystem 124 (and/or an operator of the lighting device 104) can determinethe quantity and frequency of deactivation dosing delivered by thelighting device 104. Alternatively or additionally, the dosing feedbacksystem 124 can provide the recorded data to the server 66 (via thecommunication module(s) 116), which can in turn determine the quantityand frequency of deactivation dosing delivered by the lighting device104. In some cases, the dosing feedback system 124 and/or the server 66can generate periodic reports including the obtained data and/ordeterminations with respect to deactivation dosing. When the dosingfeedback system 124 generates these reports, the reports can betransmitted to the server 66 or any other component via thecommunication module(s) 116. In any case, the dosing feedback system 124allows a hospital or other environment 100 that implements the lightingdevice 104 to quantitatively determine (and verify) that sufficientlevels of deactivation dosing were delivered over various periods oftime or at certain points in time (e.g., during a particular operation).This can, for example, be extremely beneficial in the event that thehospital or other environment 100 is sued by a patient alleging thatshe/he acquired a HAI while at the hospital or other environment 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the lighting device 104 can take the formof a light bulb or fixture 200. The light fixture 200 includes anenclosed housing 204, an array 208 of light-emitting elements 212coupled to (e.g., installed or mounted on) a portion of the housing 204,a base 216 coupled to (e.g., integrally formed with) the housing 204,and an occupancy sensor 220 coupled to (e.g., disposed or arranged on) aportion of the housing 204. The occupancy sensor 220 is optimallypositioned to detect motion within a pre-determined range of or distancefrom (e.g., 50 feet) the light 200 within the environment 100. The lightfixture 200 can emit light responsive to detection data obtained by theoccupancy sensor 220, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The housing 204 is, as noted above, enclosed, thereby preventingmoisture ingress into the light fixture 200 and/or contamination of theinternal components of the light fixture 200. More specifically, nosurface internal to the housing 204 is exposed to the environment 100,such that dangerous pathogens cannot reside on surfaces hidden from thedeactivating light emitted by the light device 200. The housing 204illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C is made of or manufactured from aluminum orstainless steel and has a first end 224, a second end 228, an outwardlyextending annular flange 230 formed at the second end 228, and an outercircumferential wall 232 extending between the first and second ends224, 228. The outer circumferential wall 232 has a substantially conicalshape, with the diameter of the circumferential wall 232 increasing in adirection from the first end 224 to the second end 228, such that thediameter of the wall 232 is larger at the second end 228 than at thefirst end 224.

The housing 204 also includes a circular support surface 236 and aninner circumferential wall 240 surrounding the support surface 236. Thesupport surface 236, which at least in FIG. 4B faces downward, isarranged to receive a portion or all of the array 208 of thelight-emitting elements 212. The inner circumferential wall 240, likethe outer circumferential wall 232, has a substantially conical shape.The inner circumferential wall 240 is spaced radially inward of theouter circumferential wall 232 and extends between the flange 230 of thehousing 204 and the support surface 236.

The housing 204 also includes a support element, which in this versiontakes the form of a cylindrical post 244, disposed along a center axis248 of the light 200. The cylindrical post 244 extends outward (downwardwhen viewed in FIG. 4B) from the support surface 236 and terminates atan end 250 positioned axially inward of the second end 228 (i.e.,axially located between the first and second ends 224, 228). A cavity252 is formed or defined proximate to the second end 228 and between theflange 230, the inner circumferential wall 240, and the cylindrical post244.

The array 208 of light-emitting elements 212 is generally arranged on orwithin the enclosed housing 204. The array 208 of light-emittingelements 212 is, in this version, arranged on an outer portion of theenclosed housing 204 exposed to the environment 100. More specifically,the light-emitting elements 212 are arranged in the cavity 252, on thesupport surface 236 and surrounding the post 244, as illustrated inFIGS. 4B and 4C. The light-emitting elements 212 can be secured in anyknown manner (e.g., using fasteners, adhesives, etc.). Any number oflight-emitting elements 212 can be utilized, depending on the givenapplication (e.g., depending upon the healthcare environment 100. As anexample, more light-emitting elements 212 may be utilized for largerenvironments 100 and/or for environments 100 particularly susceptible tohigh levels of dangerous pathogens.

The light-emitting elements 212 include one or more first light-emittingelements 256 and one or more second light-emitting elements 260 arrangedin any number of different patterns. The light-emitting elements 212illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D include a plurality of clusters 262 eachhaving one first light-emitting element 256 surrounded by three secondlight-emitting elements 260. However, in other examples, thelight-emitting elements 212 can be arranged differently, for example,with one or more of the clusters 262 having a different arrangement ofthe light-emitting elements 256 and the second light-emitting elements260. The light-emitting elements 256 in this version take the form oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) and are configured to together (i.e.,combine to) emit at least 3,000 mW of specially configured visiblelight, in this case light having a wavelength in a range of betweenapproximately 380 nm and approximately 420 nm, and more particularly,light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 420 nm. In some cases, thelight-emitting elements 256 can be configured to together emit at least5,000 mW of specially configured visible light, while in other cases,the light-emitting elements can be configured to together emit at least10,500 mW of specially configured visible light. The light-emittingelements 260 also take the form of LEDs, at least in this version, butare configured to emit visible light that complements the visible lightemitted by the light-emitted elements 256. Generally speaking, the lightemitted by the light-emitting elements 260 has a wavelength greater thanthe wavelength of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements 256.In many cases, the light emitted by some, if not all, of thelight-emitting elements 260 will have a wavelength greater than 500 nm.As an example, the light-emitting elements 260 may emit red, green, andblue light, which combine to yield or form white visible light. Thetotal light emitted by the light-emitting elements 256 has, in manycases, a greater luminous flux than the total light emitted by thelight-emitting elements 260, though this need not be the case.

In any event, the light-emitting elements 256 and 260 are configuredsuch that the total or combined light emitted by the array 208 is white,a shade of white, or a different color that is aestheticallynon-objectionable in the healthcare environment 100. Generally speaking,the total or combined light will have a color rendering index of above70, and, more preferably, above 80 or above 90, and will have a colortemperature in a range of between 1500 degrees and 7000 degrees Kelvin,preferably in a range of between 2100 degrees and 6000 degrees Kelvin,and, more preferably, in a range of between 2700 degrees and 5000degrees Kelvin.

The base 216 is coupled proximate to, and protrudes outward from, thefirst end 224 of the housing 204. The base 216 in this version is athreaded base that is integrally formed with the housing 204 and isadapted to be screwed into a matching socket (not shown) provided in areceiving structure in the healthcare environment 100. The matchingsocket can be provided in a wall, a ceiling, a floor, a housing, or someother structure, depending upon the healthcare environment 100. In anyevent, as is known in the art, the threaded base 216 can include one ormore electrical contacts adapted to be electrically connected tocorresponding electrical contacts of the socket when the base 216 iscoupled to the socket, thereby powering the light fixture 200.

It is generally desired that the base 216 be screwed into the matchingsocket such that at least a portion of the housing 204 is recessed intothe discrete structure, thereby sealing that portion of the housing 204from the external environment. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example ofthis, wherein the light fixture 200 is sealingly disposed in a receivingstructure 270 provided (e.g., formed) in a ceiling, housing, or otherstructure in the environment 100. The receiving structure 270 has asubstantially cylindrical base 272 and an outwardly extending flange 274formed at an end 276 of the base 272. A seal (e.g., a gasket) 278 isdisposed on the outwardly extending flange 274 of the receivingstructure 270. When the base 216 of the light fixture 200 is screwedinto a matching socket (not shown) provided in the receiving structure270, the housing 204 of the light fixture 200 is substantially entirelydisposed or recessed within the base 272 of the receiving structure 270,and the flange 230 of the light 200 sealingly engages the seal 278disposed on the flange 274 of the receiving structure 270. In this way,the housing 204 is substantially sealed off from the outside environment100.

With reference back to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the occupancy sensor 220, whichcan take the form of a passive infrared motion sensor, a microwavemotion sensor, an ultrasonic motion sensor, or another type of occupancysensor, is arranged or disposed on a downward facing portion of thehousing 204. The occupancy sensor 220 in this version is disposed on theend 250 of the cylindrical post 244, which allows the occupancy sensor220 to detect motion within a pre-determined range of or distance from(e.g., 50 feet) the light device 200 within the environment 100. In somecases, the occupancy sensor 220 can detect any motion within theenvironment 100 (e.g., when the environment 100 only includes one lightfixture 200). As briefly discussed above, the light 200 can emit lightresponsive to detection data obtained by the occupancy sensor 220. Morespecifically, the light fixture 200 can adjust the outputted light inresponse to detection data obtained by the occupancy sensor 220. When,for example, the occupancy sensor 220 does not detect any motion withinthe pre-determined range or distance, the light device 200 device canshut off or emit less light from the second light-emitting elements 260,as the healthcare environment 100 is not occupied (and, therefore, thecolor of the emitted light may not matter). In other words, the light200 can emit light only from the first light-emitting elements 256,thereby deactivating dangerous pathogens while using less power.Conversely, when the occupancy sensor 220 detects motion within thepre-determined range or distance, the light fixture 200 can emit lightfrom both the first and second light-emitting elements 256, 260, therebyensuring that the aesthetically unobjectionable light (e.g., whitelight) is provided to the occupied healthcare environment 100 and, atthe same time, the light fixture 200 continues to deactivate dangerouspathogens, even while the environment 100 is occupied.

With reference still to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the light fixture or bulb 200also includes an annular refractor 280. The refractor 280 in thisversion is a nano-replicated refractor film mounted to the innercircumferential wall 240 of the housing 204. The refractor 280 can besecured there via any known manner (e.g., using a plurality offasteners, using adhesives, etc.). So disposed, the refractors 280surrounds or circumscribes the first and second light-emitting elements256, 260, such that the refractor 280 helps to focus and evenlydistribute light emitted from the light 200 to the environment 100. Ifdesired, the refractor 280 can be arranged differently or other types ofrefractors can instead be utilized so as to yield different controlledlight distributions.

Although not depicted herein, it will be understood that one or moredrivers (e.g., LED drivers), one or more other sensors (e.g., a daylightsensor), one or more lenses, one or more reflectors, one or more boards(e.g., a printed circuit board, a user interface board), wiring, variouscontrol components (e.g., a local controller communicatively connectedto the server 66), one or more communication modules (e.g., one or moreantennae, one or more receivers, one or more transmitters), and/or otherelectrical components can be arranged or disposed within or proximate tothe enclosed housing 204. The communication modules can include one ormore wireless communication modules and/or one or more wiredcommunication modules. The one or more communication modules can thusfacilitate wireless and/or wired communication, using any knowncommunication protocol(s), between components of the light bulb orfixture 200 and the local controller, the server 66, and/or othercontrol system components. More specifically, the one or morecommunication modules can facilitate the transfer of various data, suchas occupancy or motion data, operational instructions (e.g., turn on,turn off, dim, etc.), etc., between the components of the bulb orfixture 200 and the local controller, the server 66, other lightingdevices 58, and/or other control system components. For example, dataindicative of when light is emitted from the light-emitting elements256, 260 can be monitored and transmitted to the server 66 via suchcommunication modules. As another example, data indicative of how muchlight is emitted from the light-emitting elements 256, 260 over apre-determined period of time (e.g., during a specific surgicalprocedure) can be monitored and transmitted to the server 66 via suchcommunication modules.

In other versions, the light bulb or fixture 200 can be constructeddifferently. Specifically, the housing 204 can have a different size,shape, and/or be made of one or more materials other than or in additionto aluminum or stainless steel. For example, the housing 204 can have arectangular, square, triangular, irregular, or other suitable shape. Inone version, the housing 204 may not include the post 244 and/or thepost 244 may take on a different shape and/or size than the cylindricalpost 244 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Moreover, the array 208 of light-emitting elements 212 can vary. In someversions, the array 208 (or portions thereof) can be arranged within oron a different portion of the housing 204. In some versions, the array208 of light-emitting elements 212 may only include the firstlight-emitting elements 256, which, as noted above, are configured toemit specially configured spectrum visible light at a sufficiently highpower level. In these versions, one or more of the light-emittingelements 256 can be covered or coated with phosphors, substrates infusedwith phosphors, and/or one or more other materials and/or media so as toyield light having a higher wavelength than the specially configurednarrow spectrum visible light, such that the total or combined lightemitted by the array 208 is white, a shade of white, or a differentcolor that is aesthetically non-objectionable in the healthcareenvironment 100. FIGS. 6A and 6B depict one such version, wherein thelight-emitting elements 212 include a plurality of clusters 284 of fourlight-emitting elements 256, with three of the light-emitting elements256A, 256B, and 256C being covered or coated with phosphors, and one ofthe light-emitting elements 256D being uncovered (i.e., not coated witha phosphor). In the illustrated version, the three light-emittingelements 256A, 256B, and 256C are covered or coated with blue, red, andgreen phosphors, respectively, such that the total or combined lightemitted by each cluster 284 (and, thus, the array 208) is white, a shadeof white, or a different color (i.e., non-white) that is aestheticallynon-objectionable in the healthcare environment 100. It will beappreciated that in other versions, more or less of the light-emittingelements 256 can be covered with phosphors, the light-emitting elements256 can be covered with different colored phosphors, and/or thelight-emitting elements 256 can be arranged differently relative to oneanother (i.e., the clusters 284 can vary). In yet other versions, thearray 208 can include additional light-emitting elements, e.g., LEDsconfigured to emit specially configured visible light at a sufficientlyhigh power level, configured to be turned on only when no motion isdetected in the environment 100 (for even greater room dosage). Finally,it will be appreciated that the first and/or second light-emittingelements 256, 260 can, instead of being LEDs, take the form offluorescent, incandescent, plasma, or other light-elements.

FIG. 7 illustrates another version of the lighting device 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the lighting device 104 can take the form of alight bulb or fixture 300. The light fixture 300 is substantiallysimilar to the light fixture 200, with common reference numerals used torefer to common components. However, unlike the light 200, the light 300includes a heat sink 302 formed on an exterior surface of the light 300and configured to dissipate heat generated by the light fixture 300,and, more particularly, the light-emitting elements 212. In some cases,the heat sink 302 can be coupled (e.g., mounted, attached) to and arounda portion of the outer circumferential wall 232, while in other casesthe heat sink 302 can be integrally formed with the housing 204 (inwhich case the heat sink 302 may take the place of some or all of thewall 232).

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another version of the lighting device 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the lighting device 104 can take the form of alight bulb or fixture 400. The light 400 includes an enclosed housing404 that is different from the housing 204 of the lights 200, 300. Theenclosed housing 404 is, in this version, is made of or manufacturedfrom glass or plastic and is shaped like a housing of a conventionalincandescent light bulb. The light 400 also includes a base 416, whichis similar to the base 216 described above. However, unlike aconventional incandescent light bulb, the light 400 also includes thelight-emitting elements 212, which are arranged within the enclosedhousing 404 and, as discussed above, are configured to provide speciallyconfigured narrow spectrum visible light at power levels sufficientlyhigh enough to effectively deactivate dangerous pathogens, all whileproviding an output of quality light that is unobjectionable.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 500. The light fixture 500 includes ahousing or chassis 504, a plurality of light-emitting elements 512coupled to (e.g., installed or mounted on) a portion of the housing 504,a lens 514 configured to diffuse light emitted by the light-emittingelements 512 in an efficient manner, a pair of support arms 516 coupledto (e.g., integrally formed with) the housing 504, and a control devicein the form of a local controller 520 that is identical to thecontroller 120 described above. It will be appreciated that the lightfixture 500 also includes an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, acommunication module, and a dosing feedback system; these componentsare, however, identical to the motion sensor 108, the daylight sensor112, the communication module 116, and the dosing feedback system 124,respectively, described above, so are, for the sake of brevity, notillustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C and are not described in any further detailbelow. The light fixture 500 may also include any of the means formaintaining junction temperature discussed above in connection with thelighting device 104.

The housing 504 in this version is made of or manufactured from steel(e.g., 18-gauge welded cold-rolled steel) and has a substantiallyrectangular flange 528 that surrounds a curved, interior support surface532, which at least in FIG. 9B faces downward. The rectangular flange528 and the curved, interior support surface 532 together define acavity 536 sized to receive the lens 514, which in this example is aFrost DR Acrylic lens manufactured by Kenall Manufacturing. The supportarms 516 are coupled to an exterior portion of the housing 504 proximateto the flange 528, with one support arm 516 coupled at or proximate to afirst end 544 of the housing 504 and the other support arm 516 coupledat or proximate to a second end 546 of the housing 504 opposite thefirst end 536. The support arms 516 are thus arranged to facilitateinstallation of the light fixture 500, e.g., within a ceiling of theenvironment 100.

The light-emitting elements 512 are generally arranged on or within thehousing 504. The light-emitting elements 512 are, in this version,arranged in a sealed or closed light-mixing chamber 550 defined by thehousing 504 and the lens 540. The light-emitting elements 512 can besecured therein any known manner (e.g., using fasteners, adhesives,etc.). The light-emitting elements 512 in this version include aplurality of first light-emitting elements in the form of a plurality offirst LEDs 556 and a plurality of second light-emitting elements in theform of a plurality of second LEDs 560. The light-emitting elements 512can be arranged on first and second LED modules 554, 558 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 9C, with the second LEDs 560 clustered together invarious rows and columns, and the first LEDs 556 arranged between theserows and columns, or can be arranged in a different manner. In oneexample, ninety-six (96) first LEDs 556 and five-hundred seventy-six(576) second LEDs 560 are used, for a ratio of first LEDs 556 to secondLEDs 560 equal to 1:6. In other examples, more or less first and secondLEDs 556, 560 can be employed, with different ratios of first LEDs 556to second LEDs 560. As an example, the ratio of first LEDs 556 to secondLEDs 560 may be equal to 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, or some other ratio, dependingupon the power capabilities of the first and second LEDs 556, 560.

The first LEDs 556 are, like the light-emitting elements 256, configuredto provide (e.g., emit) specially configured visible light, in this caselight having a wavelength in a range of between approximately 380 nm andapproximately 420 nm, and more particularly in a range of between 400 nmand 420 nm, with the combination or sum of the first LEDs 556 configuredto provide or deliver (e.g., emit) sufficiently high levels of thespecially configured visible light so as to deactivate pathogenssurrounding the light fixture 500. As discussed above, the first LEDs556 may together (i.e., when summed) emit at least 3,000 mW of thespecially configured visible light, e.g., 3,000 mW, 4,000 mW, 5,000 mW,or some other level of visible light above 3,000 mW. The minimumintegrated irradiance of the specially configured visible light emittedor otherwise provided by all of the LEDs 556, which, at least in thisexample, is measured from any exposed surface or unshielded point in theenvironment 100 that is 1.5 m from any point on any external-mostluminous surface 562 of the lighting device 504, may be equal to a valuebetween 0.01 mW/cm² and 10 mw/cm². The minimum integrated irradiancemay, for example, be equal to 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², 0.35 mW/cm²,0.40 mW/cm², 0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm², 0.55 mW/cm², 0.60 mW/cm², 0.65mW/cm², 0.70 mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80 mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm², 0.90 mW/cm²,0.95 mW/cm², 1.00 mW/cm², or some other value in the above-specifiedrange. In other examples, the minimum integrated irradiance of thespecially configured visible light may be measured from a differentdistance from any external-most luminous surface 562, nadir, or anyother unshielded or exposed surface in the environment 100. The secondLEDs 560 are, like the light-emitting elements 260, configured to emitvisible light, but the second LEDs 560 emit light having a wavelengththat is greater than the wavelength of the light emitted by the one ormore first LEDs 556. The light emitted by the second LEDs 560 willgenerally have a wavelength that is greater than 500 nm, though thisneed not be the case.

In any event, the light emitted by the second LEDs 560 complements thevisible light emitted by the one or more first LEDs 556, such that thecombined or blended light output formed in the mixing chamber 550 is awhite light having the properties discussed above (e.g., white lighthaving a CRI of above 80, a color temperature in a range of between 2100degrees and 6000 degrees, and/or (u′,v′) coordinates on the 1976 CIEChromaticity Diagram that lie on a curve that is between 0.035 Duv belowand 0.035 above a planckian locus defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 colorstandard). As a result, the combined or blended light output by thelight fixture 500 is aesthetically pleasing to humans, as illustratedin, for example, FIG. 9E. With reference back to FIG. 9D, the lightingdevice 504 also includes a first LED driver 564 and a second LED driver568 each electrically connected to the controller 520 and powered byexternal power (e.g., AC power) received from an external power source(not shown). Responsive to instructions or commands received from thecontroller 520, the first LED driver 564 is configured to power thefirst LEDs 556, while the second LED driver 568 is configured to powerthe second LEDs 560. In other examples, the lighting device 564 caninclude more or less LED drivers. As an example, the lighting device 564can include only one LED driver, configured to power the first LEDs 556and the second LEDs 560, or can include multiple LED drivers configuredto power the first LEDs 556 and multiple LED drivers configured to powerthe second LEDs 560.

As also illustrated in FIG. 9D, the controller 520 may receive a dimmersetting 572 and/or a mode control setting 576 received from a user ofthe lighting device 504 (e.g., input via a dimming switch electricallyconnected to the light fixture 500) and/or a central controller via,e.g., the server 66. The dimmer setting 572 is a 0-10 V control signalthat specifies the desired dimmer or dimming level for the lightingdevice, which is a ratio of a desired combined light output of the firstand second LEDs 556, 560 to the maximum combined light output of thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560 (and which corresponds to the blended orcombined output discussed above). The 0 V input generally corresponds toa desired dimming level of 100% (i.e., no power is supplied to the firstLEDs 556 or the second LEDs 560), the 5 V input generally corresponds toa desired dimming level of 50%, and the 10 V input generally correspondsto a desired dimming level of 0% (i.e., the first and second LEDs 556,560 are fully powered), though this need not be the case. The modecontrol setting 576 is a control signal that specifies the desiredoperating mode for the lighting device 504. The mode control setting 576may, for example, specify that the lighting device 504 be in a firstmode (e.g., an examination mode, a disinfection mode, a blended mode),whereby the first and second LEDs 556, 560 are fully powered, or asecond mode (e.g., a nighttime mode), whereby the second LEDs 560 arepowered while the first LEDs 556 are not powered (or are powered at alower level). Other modes and/or modes corresponding to different powersettings or levels may be utilized.

In operation, the light fixture 500 provides or outputs (e.g., emits)light based on or in response to commands or instructions from the localcontroller 520. More specifically, the first LED driver 564 and/or thesecond LED driver 568 power the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs560, such that the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs 560 provide oroutput (e.g., emit) a desired level of light, based on or in response tocommands or instructions to that effect received from the localcontroller 520. These commands or instructions may be generated based onor responsive to receipt of the dimmer setting 572, receipt of the modecontrol setting 576, occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensorand/or daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/or based on orresponsive to commands or instructions received from the server 66and/or the client devices 70. Thus, the light fixture 500, and moreparticularly the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs 560, may provide(e.g., emit) light responsive to occupancy data obtained by theoccupancy sensor, daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/orother commands or instructions (e.g., timing settings, dimmer settings,mode control settings).

The light fixture 500 can, for example, responsive to data indicatingthat the environment 100 is occupied, data indicating that there is amore than pre-determined amount of natural light in the environment 100(i.e., it is daytime), and/or various commands and instructions, emitlight from the first LEDs 556 and the second LEDs 560, thereby producinga blended or combined output of white visible light discussed above. Inturn, the light fixture 500 produces a visible white light thateffectively deactivates dangerous pathogens in the environment 100, and,at the same time, illuminates the environment 100 in a safe andobjectionable manner (e.g., because the environment 100 is occupied, itis daytime, and/or for other reasons).

However, responsive to data indicating that the environment 100 is notoccupied or has been unoccupied for a pre-determined amount of time(e.g., 30 minutes, 60 minutes), the light fixture 500 can reduce thepower of the second LEDs 560, such that a substantial portion of theoutput light is from the first LEDs 556, or shut off the second LEDs 560(which are no longer needed to produce a visually appealing blendedoutput since the environment 100 is unoccupied), such that light is onlyemitted from the first LEDs 556, as illustrated in FIG. 9F. The lightfixture 500 can, at the same time, increase the power or intensity ofthe first LEDs 556 and, in some cases, can activate one or more thirdLEDs that are not shown but are configured, like the LEDs 556, to emitsufficiently high levels of specially configured visible light, in thiscase light having a wavelength in a range of between approximately 380nm and approximately 420 nm, and more particularly between 400 nm and420 nm. In this manner, the deactivation effectiveness of the lightfixture 500 can be increased (without sacrificing the visual appeal ofthe light fixture 500, as the environment 100 is unoccupied) and, at thesame time, the energy consumption of the light fixture 500 can bereduced, or at the very least maintained (by virtue of the first LEDs556 being reduced or shut off).

In some cases, the light fixture 500 can, responsive to data indicatingthat the environment 100 is not occupied or has been unoccupied for aperiod of time less than a pre-determined amount of time (e.g., 30minutes), provide or output the combined or blended light output (of thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560) discussed above. This provides afail-safe mode that ensures that the environment 100 is indeed vacantbefore the second LEDs 560 are shut off or reduced.

The light fixture 500 can respond in a similar or different manner todata indicating that there is more than a pre-determined amount ofnatural light in the environment 100, such that there is no need for thelight from the second LEDs 560, or there is less than a pre-determinedamount of natural light in the environment 100 (i.e., it is nighttime,such that the environment 100 is unlikely to be occupied). If desired,the light fixture 500 may only respond in this manner responsive to dataindicating that the environment 100 is unoccupied and data indicatingthat it is nighttime. Alternatively, the light fixture 500 may onlyrespond in this manner responsive to timer settings (e.g., it is after6:30 P.M.) and/or other commands or instructions.

The light fixture 500, and more particularly the first LEDs 556 and thesecond LEDs 560, can also be controlled responsive to settings such asthe dimmer setting 572 and the mode control setting 576 received by thecontroller 520. Responsive to receiving the dimmer setting 572 or themode control setting 576, the controller 520 causes the first and secondLED drivers 564, 568 to power (or not power) the first and second LEDs556, 560, respectively, in accordance with the received setting. Morespecifically, when the controller 520 receives the dimmer setting 572 orthe mode control setting 576, the controller 520 instructs the first LEDdriver 564, via a first LED control signal 580, and instructs the secondLED driver 568, via a second LED control signal 584, to power (or notpower) the first and second LEDs 556, 560 according to the desireddimming level specified by the dimmer setting 572 or the desiredoperating mode specified by the mode control setting 576.

FIG. 9G illustrates one example of how the controller 520 can controlthe first and second LED drivers 564, 568 responsive to various dimmersettings 572 that specify various dimming levels (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%,75%, 100%). Generally speaking, the controller 520 causes the first andsecond LED drivers 564, 568 to increase the total light output by thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560 responsive to decreasing dimming levels,thereby increasing the color temperature of the total light output, andcauses the first and second LED drivers 564, 568 to decrease the totallight output by the first and second LEDs 556, 560 responsive toincreasing dimming levels, thereby decreasing the color temperature ofthe total light output. But, as shown in FIG. 9G, the controller 520controls the first LEDs 556 (via the first LED driver 564) differentlythan it controls the second LEDs 560 (via the second LED driver 568). Inother words, there exists a non-linear relationship between the amountof light emitted by the first LEDs 556 and the amount of light emittedby the second LEDs 560 at various dimming levels. This relationship isillustrated by the fact that a first curve 588, which represents thetotal power supplied to the first and second LEDs 556, 560 by the firstand second LED drivers 564, 568, respectively, as a function of variousdimmer levels, is not parallel to or with a second curve 592, whichrepresents the power supplied to the first LEDs 556 as a function of thesame varying dimmer levels. As an example, (i) when the dimmer setting572 specifies a dimmer level of 0% (i.e., no dimming), such that thelight fixture 500 is operated at full (100%) power, approximately 50% ofthat total power is supplied to the first LEDs 556, (ii) when the dimmersetting 572 specifies a dimmer level of 50%, such that the light fixture500 is operated at half (50%) power, less than 50% of that total poweris supplied to the first LEDs 556, and (iii) when the dimmer setting 572specifies a dimmer level of greater than 75% but less than 100%, suchthat the light fixture 500 is operated at a power less than 25%, nopower is supplied to the first LEDs 556. As a result, the first LEDs 556are turned completely off before the second LEDs 560 are turnedcompletely off. In this manner, the light output by the light fixture500 remains unobjectionable and aesthetically pleasing, even while thelight fixture 500 is dimmed, particularly when dimmed to very highlevels (e.g., 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%).

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 600. The light fixture 600 is similar tothe light fixture 500 in that it includes a housing or chassis 604 (witha flange 628) and a lens 614 configured to diffuse light emitted by thelight fixture in an efficient manner, as well as components like a localcontroller, an occupancy sensor, a communication module, and a dosingfeedback system identical to the controller 120, the sensor 108, themodule 116, and the dosing feedback system 124, respectively, describedabove; thus, for the sake of brevity, these components will not bedescribed in any further detail. The light fixture 600 may also includeany of the means for maintaining junction temperature discussed above inconnection with the lighting device 104. However, the light fixture 600includes a plurality of lighting elements 612 that is different from theplurality of light emitting elements 512 of the light fixture 500. Whilethe lighting elements 612 are, like the elements 512, arranged on LEDmodules 654 in a sealed or closed light-mixing chamber defined by thehousing 604 and the lens 614, as illustrated in FIGS. 10B and 10C, eachof the lighting elements 612 takes the form of a light-emitting diode(“LED”) 656 and a light-converting element 657 that is associatedtherewith and is configured to convert a portion of the light emitted bythe LED 656, as illustrated in FIG. 10D. In this version, each LEDmodule 654 includes seventy-six (76) lighting elements 612, though inother versions, more or less lighting elements 612 can be employed(and/or additional LEDs 656 can be employed without light-convertingelements 657). In this version, the light-converting element 657, whichmay for example be a phosphor element such as a phosphor or a substrateinfused with phosphor, covers or coats the LED 656, though in otherversions the light-converting element 657 may be located remotely fromthe LED 656 (e.g., a remote phosphor element).

In operation, the LEDs 656 of the lighting elements 612 emitdisinfecting light (e.g., light having a wavelength of between 400 nmand 420 nm) that, when combined or summed, produces power levelssufficient to deactivate pathogens. As discussed above, the LEDs 656 maycombine to emit at least 3,000 mW of the disinfecting light, e.g., 3,000mW, 4,000 mW, 5,000 mW, or some other level of visible light above 3,000mW. At least a first portion or component 700 (and in FIG. 10D, multiplecomponents 700) of the disinfecting light emitted by each LED 656travels or passes through the respective light-converting element 657without alteration, while at least a second portion or component 704(and in FIG. 10D, multiple components 704) of the disinfecting lightemitted by each LED 656 is (are) converted by the respectivelight-converting element 657 into light having a wavelength of greaterthan 420 nm. In many cases, the second portion(s) or component(s) 704 oflight is (are) converted into yellow light, i.e., light having awavelength of between 570 nm and 590 nm. In other words, each lightingelement 612 is configured to provide light, at least a first componentof the light, provided by the respective LED 656, having a wavelength ofbetween 400 nm and 420 nm and at least a second component of the light,provided by the respective light-converting element 657, having awavelength of greater than 420 nm. The first component(s) of theprovided light will, as is also described above, have a minimumintegrated irradiance, measured, at least in this example, from anyexposed surface or unshielded point in the environment 100 that is 1.5 mfrom any point on any external-most luminous surface 662 of the lightingdevice 504, equal to a value between 0.01 mW/cm² and 10 mW/cm². Theminimum integrated irradiance may, for example, be equal to 0.01 mW/cm²,0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², 0.35 mW/cm², 0.40 mW/cm², 0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm²,0.55 mW/cm², 0.60 mW/cm², 0.65 mW/cm², 0.70 mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm², 0.90 mW/cm², 0.95 mW/cm², 1.00 mW/cm², or someother value in the above-specified range. In other examples, the minimumintegrated irradiance can be measured from a different distance from anypoint on any external-most luminous surface 662, nadir, or some otherexposed surface or point in the environment 100.

At the same time, the light provided or output by the light fixture 600,and more particularly each lighting element 612, is a white light havingthe properties discussed above, such that the provided light isaesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, to humans. This isbecause the light provided by the light converting elements 657, i.e.,the second component(s), complements the disinfecting light that isemitted by the LEDs 656 and passes through the light converting elements657 without alteration, i.e., the first component(s).

As with the light fixture 500, the light fixture 600 can provide oroutput light based on or in response to commands or instructions from alocal controller 618. These commands or instructions may be generatedbased on or responsive to occupancy data obtained by the occupancysensor and/or daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/orbased on or responsive to commands or instructions received from a userof the light fixture 600 (e.g., via the client devices 70) and/or theserver 66. Thus, the light fixture 600 may provide light responsive tooccupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensor, daylight data obtainedby the daylight sensor, and/or other commands or instructions (e.g.,timing settings).

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 800. The light fixture 800 is similar tothe light fixture 600 in that it includes a housing or chassis 804 (witha flange 628) and a lens 814 configured to diffuse light emitted by thelight fixture in an efficient manner, as well as components like a localcontroller, an occupancy sensor, a communication module, and a dosingfeedback system identical to the controller 120, the sensor 108, themodule 116, and the dosing feedback system 124, respectively, describedabove; for the sake of brevity, these components will not be describedin any further detail. The light fixture 800 may also include means,such as support arms like the support arms 516 described above, formounting the housing 804 to a surface (e.g., a ceiling, a floor, a wall)in the environment 100, and/or include any of the means for maintainingjunction temperature discussed above in connection with the lightingdevice 104.

However, the light fixture 800 includes a plurality of lighting elements812 that is different from the plurality of light emitting elements 612of the light fixture 600 Like the elements 612, the lighting elements812 are arranged on LED modules 854 in a sealed or closed light-mixingchamber defined by the housing 804 and the lens 814, as illustrated inFIGS. 11B and 11C, and each of the lighting elements 812 takes the formof a light-emitting diode (“LED”) 856 and a light-converting element 857that is associated therewith and is configured to convert a portion ofthe light emitted by the respective LED 856, as illustrated in FIG. 11D.But unlike the elements 612, the lighting elements 812 are arranged inclusters 884. Each of the clusters 884 generally includes a subset ofthe overall total number of lighting elements 812 in the light fixture800. In this version, each of the clusters 884 includes three LEDs 856configured to emit disinfecting light (e.g., light having a wavelengthof between 400 nm and 420 nm, a wavelength of between 460 nm and 480 nm)and three light-converting elements 857, in the form of three phosphorelements, that cover or coat the respective LEDs 856 and convert aportion of the disinfecting light emitted by the LEDs 856 intodisinfecting light of a different wavelength (or different wavelengths)than the disinfecting light emitted by the LEDs 856. As an example, eachof the clusters 884 may include three LEDs 856 configured to emitdisinfecting light having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm(e.g., about 405 nm) and three different phosphor elements, a bluephosphor that converts a portion of the disinfecting light emitted byone of the LEDs 856 into disinfecting light having a wavelength ofbetween 460 nm and 480 nm, a green phosphor that converts a portion ofthe disinfecting light emitted by another one of the LEDs 856 intodisinfecting light having a wavelength of between 530 nm and 580 nm, anda red phosphor that converts a portion of the disinfecting light emittedby the remaining LED 856 into disinfecting light having a wavelength ofbetween 600 nm and 650 nm. In other versions, however, the lightingelements 812 need not be arranged in clusters 884 or can be arranged indifferent clusters 884. More particularly, the clusters 884 may includea different number of LEDs 856 (e.g., additional LEDs 856 can beemployed without light-converting elements 857), a different number oflight-converting elements 857, different LEDs 856, or differentlight-converting elements 857. As an example, the light-convertingelements 857 may be located remotely from the LEDs 856 or thelight-converting elements 857 may instead take the form of a quantum dotor other means for converting light in the described manner.

In operation, the LEDs 856 of the lighting elements 812 emitdisinfecting light (e.g., light having a wavelength of between 400 nmand 420 nm). At least a first portion or component 900 (and in FIG. 11D,multiple components 900) of the disinfecting light emitted by each LED856 travels or passes through the respective light-converting element857 without alteration, while at least a second portion of component 904(and in FIG. 11D, multiple components 904) of the disinfecting lightemitted by each LED 856 is (are) converted by the respectivelight-converting element 857 into disinfecting light having a differentwavelength than the wavelength of the disinfecting light emitted by therespective LED 856. In other words, each lighting element 812 isconfigured to provide disinfecting light, at least a first component ofwhich is provided by the respective LED 856 and at least a secondcomponent of which is provided by the respective light-convertingelement 857. As discussed above, the first and/or second component(s) ofthe disinfecting light may have a minimum integrated irradiance,measured, at least in this example, from any exposed surface orunshielded point in the environment 100 that is 1.5 m from any point onany external-most luminous surface 862 of the lighting device 804, equalto a value between 0.01 mW/cm² and 10 mW/cm². The minimum integratedirradiance may, for example, be equal to 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm²,0.35 mW/cm², 0.40 mW/cm², 0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm², 0.55 mW/cm², 0.60mW/cm², 0.65 mW/cm², 0.70 mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80 mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm²,0.90 mW/cm², 0.95 mW/cm², 1.00 mW/cm², or some other value in theabove-specified range. In other examples, the minimum integratedirradiance can be measured from a different distance from any point onany external-most luminous surface 862, nadir, or some other exposedsurface or point in the environment 100. In any case, because the firstcomponent(s) and the second component(s) are, on their own, sufficientto deactivate pathogens in the environment 100, the first and secondcomponents of the disinfecting light, when combined or summed, producedisinfecting doses more than sufficient to deactivate pathogens in theenvironment 100. While the exact disinfecting dose achieved by thecombination of the first and second components will vary depending uponthe exact application, the combined light has a disinfecting dose,measured, at least in this example, from any unshielded point (e.g., airor surface) in the environment 100, equal to at least 0.06 J/cm².

At the same time, the disinfecting light emitted by the light-convertingelements 857 (i.e., the second components) complements the disinfectinglight emitted by the LEDs 856, such that the combined or blended lightoutput formed in the mixing chamber of the fixture 800 is a non-whitelight having the properties discussed above (e.g., non-white lighthaving u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram that lieoutside of an area that is bounded (i) vertically between the curve 106Aand the curve 106B, a curve 109A that is 0.007 Duv above the planckianlocus 105 and a curve 109B that is 0.007 Duv below (−0.007 Duv) theplanckian locus 105, or other curves, and (ii) horizontally between acolor temperature isoline of between approximately 1500 K and 7000 K).As a result, the combined or blended light output by the light fixture800 is aesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, to humans inthe environment 100.

As with the light fixtures 500 and 600, the light fixture 800 canprovide or output light based on or in response to commands orinstructions from a local controller 818. These commands or instructionsmay be generated based on or responsive to occupancy data obtained bythe occupancy sensor and/or daylight data obtained by the daylightsensor, and/or based on or responsive to commands or instructionsreceived from a user of the light fixture 800 (e.g., via the clientdevices 70) and/or the server 66. Thus, the light fixture 800 mayprovide light responsive to occupancy data obtained by the occupancysensor, daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/or othercommands or instructions (e.g., timing settings).

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 1000. The light fixture 1000 is similarto the light fixture 500, with common reference numerals used for commoncomponents, but includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 1012different from the plurality of light-emitting elements 512. The lightfixture 1000 is similar to the light fixture 500 in that the pluralityof light-emitting elements 1012 also take the form of a plurality offirst LEDs 1056 and a plurality of second LEDs 1060, and the first LEDs1056 are, like the first LEDs 556, configured to provide (e.g., emit)disinfecting light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 420 nm (e.g.,light having a wavelength of about 405 nm). However, the first LEDs 1056together contribute less power to the total power level of lightprovided by the light fixture 1000 than the first LEDs 556 togethercontribute to the total power level of light provided by the lightfixture 500. In some cases, this will be achieved by including lessfirst LEDs 1056 in the fixture 1000 (as compared to the number of LEDs556 included in the fixture 500). In other cases, this may be achievedby varying the total power provided by the first LEDs 1056 via, forexample, a controller.

In any case, having the first LEDs 1056 contribute less power removessome 400 nm to 420 nm disinfecting light from the overall light outputby the light fixture 1000, as studies have shown that in someapplications, too much 400 nm to 420 nm disinfecting light causesdisorientation, headaches, and insomnia for occupants of the environment100. In turn, the first LEDs 1056 generally combine to provide (e.g.,emit) less levels of disinfecting light than the first LEDs 556. Thus,for example, the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting lightprovided by all of the LEDs 1056 is generally less than the minimumintegrated irradiance of the disinfecting light provided by all of theLEDs 556. Nonetheless, the minimum integrated irradiance of thedisinfecting light provided by all of the LEDs 1056, measured, at leastin this example, from any exposed surface or unshielded point in theenvironment 100 that is 1.5 m from any point on any external-mostluminous surface 562 of the fixture 1000, may be equal to a notinsignificant value such as 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², 0.35 mW/cm²,0.40 mW/cm², 0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm², 0.55 mW/cm², 0.60 mW/cm², 0.65mW/cm², 0.70 mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80 mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm², 0.90 mW/cm²,0.95 mW/cm², 1.00 mW/cm², or some other value between 0.01 mW/cm² and 10mW/cm².

In order to ensure that the light fixture 1000 provides sufficientlyhigh levels of disinfecting light so as to deactivate pathogens in theenvironment 100, the second LEDs 1060 are, unlike the second LEDs 560,also configured to provide (e.g., emit) disinfecting light, albeitdisinfecting light having a wavelength that is different from thewavelength of the light emitted by the first LEDs 1056. For example, thesecond LEDs 1060 can be configured to provide disinfecting light havinga wavelength of between 460 nm to 480 nm, light having a wavelength of530 nm to 580 nm, or light having a wavelength of between 600 nm and 650nm. The minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light providedby all of the second LEDs 1060 may be greater than, less than, or equalto the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light providedby all of the first LEDs 1056, but generally falls within the rangediscussed above. Additionally, in some cases, the plurality oflight-emitting elements 1012 may also additional LEDs (e.g., a pluralityof third LEDs) to provide additional disinfecting light having awavelength that is different from the wavelengths of the light emittedby the first and second LEDs 1056, 1060 and/or to provide visible lightwhen necessary to complement the light provided by the first and secondLEDs 1056, 1060.

Accordingly, the combination of the disinfecting light provided by thefirst LEDs 1056 and the second LEDs 1060 (and any additional LEDs, whenutilized) produces disinfecting doses more than sufficient to deactivatepathogens in the environment 100. While the exact disinfecting doseachieved by this combination will vary depending upon the exactapplication, the combined light has a disinfecting dose, measured, atleast in this example, from any unshielded point (e.g., air or surface)in the environment 100, equal to at least 0.06 J/cm².

At the same time, by substituting some of the disinfecting light havinga wavelength of between 400 nm to 420 nm with disinfecting light ofother wavelengths, and by providing disinfecting light of otherwavelengths via the second LEDs 1060 that complements the disinfectinglight provided by the first LEDs 1056, the combined or blended lightoutput by the fixture 1000 is an unobjectionable non-white light havingthe properties discussed above (e.g., non-white light having u′, v′coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram that lie outside of anarea that is bounded (i) vertically between the curve 106A and the curve106B, a curve 109A that is 0.007 Duv above the planckian locus 105 and acurve 109B that is 0.007 Duv below (−0.007 Duv) the planckian locus 105,or other curves, and (ii) horizontally between a color temperatureisoline of between approximately 1500 K and 7000 K).

As with the light fixtures 500 and 600, the light fixture 1000 canprovide or output light based on or in response to commands orinstructions from a local controller. These commands or instructions maybe generated based on or responsive to occupancy data obtained by theoccupancy sensor and/or daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor,and/or based on or responsive to commands or instructions received froma user of the light fixture 1000 (e.g., via the client devices 70)and/or the server 66. Thus, the light fixture 1000 may provide lightresponsive to occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensor, daylightdata obtained by the daylight sensor, and/or other commands orinstructions (e.g., timing settings).

FIG. 13 illustrates a healthcare environment 1500 that includes alighting device 1502, in the form of one of the lighting devicesdescribed herein (e.g., the lighting device 1000), employed inconjunction with an HVAC unit 1504 for the healthcare environment 1500.In this version, the healthcare environment 1500 includes a first room1508 (e.g., an operating room, a waiting room, an examination room) anda second room 1512 (e.g., an operating room, a waiting room, anexamination room) that is structurally separate from the first room 1512but shares the HVAC unit 1504 with the first room 1508. In otherversions, however, the healthcare environment 1500 may include adifferent number of rooms (e.g., one room, three or more rooms, etc.)Further, in this version, the first room 1508 includes the lightingdevice 1502 but the second room 1512 does not include any of thelighting devices described herein. However, in other versions, the firstroom 1508 may include more than one lighting device 1502 and/or thesecond room 1508 may include one or more of the lighting devicesdescribed herein (in which case the first room 1508 may not include thelighting device 1502).

The HVAC unit 1504 is generally configured to provide air (e.g., Class1, Class 10, Class 100, Class 1,000, Class 10,000, or Class 100,000 air)to the healthcare environment 1500. To this end, the HVAC unit 1504 isconnected to the first room 1508 via a first supply air duct 1516 and afirst return air duct 1520, and to the second room 1512 via a secondsupply air duct 1524 and a second return air duct 1528. The HVAC unit1504 may, via the air ducts 1516, 1520, replace the air in the firstroom 1508, and, via the air ducts 1524, 1528, replace the air in thesecond room 1512; this can be done any number of times per hour (e.g.,3, 8, 40 times per hour). In some cases, e.g., when the healthcareenvironment 1500 is part of a larger environment (e.g., a hospital), theHVAC unit 1504 may be connected to a central HVAC system. In othercases, the HVAC unit 1504 may itself be considered the central HVACsystem.

In operation, the HVAC unit 1504 provides (e.g., delivers) air to thefirst room 1508 via the first supply air duct 1516 and to the secondroom 1512 via the second supply air duct 1520. In turn, the lightingdevice 1502, which provides disinfecting light as discussed above,deactivates pathogens in the air (i.e., disinfects the air) provided tothe first room 1508 and proximate the lighting device 1502. The air inthe first room 1508 is continuously circulated, such that thedisinfected air is moved away from the lighting device 1502 and air thathas not yet been disinfected is moved into proximity of the lightingdevice 1502 and disinfected. The air in the first room 1508 circulatesin this manner because of a natural air convection current created bythe temperature difference between the ambient temperature in theenvironment 1500 and the surface temperature of the outermost surface ofthe lighting device 1502, which will be greater than the ambienttemperature, in the vicinity of the lighting device 1502. Optionally,additional air convection may be created by incorporating one or morefans, one or more heat sinks, and/or one or more other physical meansfor creating additional air convection into or onto the lighting device1502.

Over time, the HVAC unit 1504 replaces the air originally provided tothe first room 1508 with air originally provided to the second room1512, and replaces the air originally provided to the second room 1512with the air originally provided to the first room 1508 (and sincesubstantially disinfected by the lighting device 1502). Thus, the HVACunit 1504 also serves to circulate the air in the healthcare environment1500 between the first room 1508 and the second room 1512, therebyensuring that not only will substantially all of the air in the firstroom 1508 be disinfected, but that substantially all of the air in thehealthcare environment 1500 is disinfected several times per hour (thisnumber will largely be dictated by how often the HVAC unit 1504 changesthe air in the environment 1500).

Studies performed by the Applicant on healthcare environments configuredlike the healthcare environment 1500 have shown that employing one ormore lighting devices in accordance with the present disclosure in afirst room of an environment (e.g., the first room 1508) not onlysignificantly reduces the incidence of HAIs in occupants of that firstroom, but also significantly reduces the incidence of HAIs in occupantsof a second room (e.g., the second room 1512), and other rooms, whenthose rooms utilize the same HVAC unit (e.g., the HVAC unit 1504). Thus,the Applicant has found that HAIs can be significantly reduced acrosshealthcare environments without having to go to the (significant)expense of installing multiple disinfecting lighting devices in each ofthe rooms in that environment.

In one such study, a disinfecting lighting device constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure was installed inan orthopedic operating room OR1 at Maury Regional Health Center.Bacteria levels in the orthopedic operating room OR1 were subsequentlymeasured for a period of 30 days and compared with bacteria levelsmeasured in the orthopedic operating room OR1 prior to the installationof the lighting device therein. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, thedisinfecting lighting device reduced bacteria levels within theoperating room OR1 by approximately 85%. Unexpectedly, during that sametime period, the disinfecting lighting device also reduced lightingbacteria levels within an orthopedic operating room OR2 that is separatefrom but is adjacent to and shares an HVAC unit with the orthopedicoperating room OR1 by approximately 62%. Infection rates for surgicalsite infections (SSIs), which are a subset of HAIs, for the operatingroom OR1 were also tracked for a 12 month period of time (October 2016to October 2017) following the installation of the lighting devicewithin the orthopedic operating room OR1 and compared to infection ratesin the operating room OR1 for the 12 month period of time (October 2015to October 2016) prior to the installation of the lighting device. Asillustrated in FIG. 14A, the disinfecting lighting device installed inthe operating room OR1 reduced the number SSIs by 73%. Unexpectedly,consistent with the data on bacteria reduction, the disinfectinglighting device also reduced the number of SSIs for the operating roomOR2 (adjacent the operating room OR2) by 75%.

FIG. 15A illustrates one example of a distribution of the radiometricpower output by a lighting device 1100, which takes the form of any oneof the lighting devices 104, 200, 500, 600, 800, and 1000 describedherein. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the radiometric power is at amaximum value along a center axis 1104 of the light distribution fromthe lighting device 100, while the radiometric power along a line 1108oriented at an angle θ from the center axis 1104 is equal to 50% of themaximum radiometric power value, so long as the radiometric power at thecenter axis 1104 and the radiometric power on the line 1108 are measuredat equal distances from the lighting device 1100. The line 1108 in thisversion is oriented at an angle θ equal to 20 or 30 degrees from thecenter axis 1104, but may, in other versions, be oriented at a differentangle θ.

It will be appreciated that a lighting device such as one of thelighting devices 104, 200, 500, 600, 800, 1000, and 1100 describedherein can distribute light within or throughout the environment 100 inany number of different ways, depending upon the given application. Thelighting device can, for example, utilize a lambertian distribution1120, an asymmetric distribution 1140, a downlight with cutoffdistribution 1160, or a direct-indirect distribution 1180, asillustrated in FIGS. 15B-15E, respectively.

The lambertian distribution plot 1120 illustrated in FIG. 15B takes theform of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts a magnitude M of theintensity of the light output from a lighting device as a function ofthe vertical a from the horizontal. As shown in FIG. 15B, the lambertiandistribution plot 1120 includes a first light distribution 1124 measuredalong a vertical plane through horizontal angles 0-180 degrees, a secondlight distribution 1128 measured along a vertical plane throughhorizontal angles 90-270 degrees, and a third light distribution 1132measured along a vertical plane through horizontal angles 180-0 degrees.As illustrated by each of the first, second, and third lightdistributions 1124, 1128, and 1132, the magnitude M of light intensityis at its maximum value (in this example, 5240 candela) when thevertical angle α is equal to 0 degrees (i.e., nadir), such that the mainbeam angle, which corresponds to the vertical angle of highestmagnitude, is equal to 0 degrees. The magnitude M then decreases as thevertical angle α moves from 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

The asymmetric distribution plot 1140 illustrated in FIG. 15C likewisetakes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a lighting deviceas a function of the vertical a from the horizontal. As shown in FIG.15C, the asymmetric distribution plot 1140 includes a first lightdistribution 1144 measured along a vertical plane through horizontalangles between 0-180 degrees and a second light distribution 1148measured along a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270degrees. As illustrated by the first and second light distributions1144, 1148, light is distributed asymmetrically to one side of thelighting device, with the magnitude M of light intensity at its maximumvalue (in this example, 2307 candela) when the vertical angle α is equalto 25 degrees, such that the main beam angle, which corresponds to thevertical angle α of highest magnitude, is equal to 25 degrees. Such adistribution may, for example, be utilized in an environment 100 thatfeatures an operating table, so that the main beams of light from thelighting device are directed toward the operating table.

The downlight with cutoff distribution plot 1160 illustrated in FIG. 15Dalso takes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a recessedlighting device as a function of the vertical a from the horizontal. Asshown in FIG. 15D, the distribution plot 1160 includes a first lightdistribution 1164 measured along a vertical plane through horizontalangles between 0-180 degrees, a second light distribution 1168 measuredalong a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270 degrees,and a third light distribution 1172 measured along a horizontal conethrough a vertical angle α of 20 degrees. As illustrated by the first,second, and third light distributions 1164, 1168, and 1172, themagnitude M of light intensity is at its maximum value (in this example,2586 candela) when the horizontal angle is 60 degrees and the verticalangle α is equal to 20 degrees, and there is very minimal lightintensity (i.e., the light is cutoff) above 45 degrees. The main beamangle, which corresponds to the vertical angle α of highest magnitude,is thus equal to 20 degrees, making this distribution appropriate forapplications when, for example, an off-center but symmetricaldistribution is desired. This type of distribution generally allows forgreater spacing between adjacent lighting devices while maintaining arelatively uniform projection of light on the ground.

The direct-indirect distribution plot 1180 illustrated in FIG. 15E alsotakes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a lighting deviceas a function of the vertical a from the horizontal. As shown in FIG.15E, the distribution plot 1180 includes a first light distribution 1184along a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270 degrees,and a second light distribution 1188 measured along a vertical planethrough horizontal angles between 180-0 degrees. As illustrated by thefirst and second light distributions 1184 and 1168, the magnitude M oflight intensity is at its maximum value (in this example, 1398 candela)when the horizontal angle is 90 degrees and the vertical angle α isequal to 117.5 degrees, and most (e.g., approximately 80%) of the lightis directed upwards (as evidenced by the fact that the light intensityis greater at vertical angles a between 90 degrees and 270 degrees. Themain beam angle, which corresponds to the vertical angle α of highestmagnitude, is thus equal to 117.5 degrees, making this distributionappropriate for applications when, for example, the lighting device issuspended from a ceiling and utilizes the ceiling to provide light tothe environment, which in turn provides a low-glare lighting to theenvironment.

FIGS. 15F-15I each depict a chart that details the luminous flux(measured in lumens) for the lambertian, asymmetric, downlight withcutoff, and direct-indirect distributions 1120, 1140, 1160, and 1180,respectively. More specifically, each chart details the integration ofthe luminous intensity over the solid angle of the respectivedistribution 1120, 1140, 1160, and 1180, for various zones of verticalangles a (i.e., the luminous flux).

FIG. 16 depicts a flowchart of one method 1200 of providing doses oflight sufficient to deactivate dangerous pathogens (e.g., MRSA bacteria)throughout a volumetric space (e.g., the environment 100) over a periodof time (e.g., 24 hours). The method 1200 is implemented in the ordershown, but may be implemented in or according to any number of differentorders. The method 1200 may include additional, fewer, or differentacts. For example, the first, second, third, and/or fourth data receivedin act 1205 may be received at different times prior to act 1220, withthe receipt of data at different times constituting different acts. Asanother example, the acts 1205, 1210, and 1215 may be repeated a numberof times before the act 1220 is performed.

The method 1200 begins when data associated with the volumetric space isreceived (act 1205). The data may include (i) first data associated witha desired illuminance level for the volumetric space, (ii) second dataindicative of an estimated occupancy of the volumetric space over apre-determined period of time, (iii) third data indicative of a length,width, and/or height of the volumetric space (one or more of the length,width, and/or height may be a default value, so need not be provided),and (iv) fourth data indicative of a preferred CCT for the volumetricspace. While in this version the first, second, third, and fourth datais described as being received at the same time, these data can bereceived at different times. The desired illuminance level will varydepending upon the application and the size of the volumetric space, butmay, for example, be 40-60 fc, 100-125 fc, 200-300 fc, or some othervalue or range of values. The estimated occupancy of the volumetricspace over the pre-determined period of time generally relates to theamount of time per day that the volumetric space is occupied Like thedesired illuminance level, this will vary depending upon theapplication, but may be 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, or someother period of time. The preferred CCT for the volumetric space willalso vary depending upon the given application, but may, for example, bein a range of between approximately 1500 K and 7000 K, more particularlybetween approximately 1800 K and 5000 K.

The method 1200 includes determining an arrangement of one or morelighting fixtures to be installed in the volumetric space (act 1210).The determination is, in the illustrated method, based on the firstdata, though it can be made based on combinations of the first data, thesecond data, the third data, and/or the fourth data. The arrangement ofone or more lighting fixtures generally includes one or more of any ofthe light fixtures described herein, e.g., the light fixture 200, lightfixture 500, the light fixture 600, the light fixture 800, the lightfixture 1000, and/or one or more other light fixtures (e.g., one or morelight fixtures configured to emit only disinfecting light). Thus, thearrangement of one or more lighting fixtures is configured to at leastpartially provide or output (e.g., emit) disinfecting light (e.g., lighthaving a wavelength of between 380 nm and 420 nm, and more particularlybetween 400 nm and 420 nm, light having a wavelength of between 460 nmand 480 nm). In some cases, the one or more lighting fixtures may alsobe configured to at least partially provide light having a wavelength ofgreater than 420 nm (or greater than 500 nm), such that the combined orblended light output of the lighting fixtures is a more aestheticallypleasing or unobjectionable than would otherwise be the case. Thearrangement of one or more lighting fixtures may also include means fordirecting the disinfecting light, such as, for example, one or morereflectors, one or more diffusers, and one or more lenses positionedwithin or outside of the lighting fixtures. The arrangement of one ormore lighting fixtures may optionally include a means for managing heatgenerated by the one or more lighting fixtures, such that heat-sensitivecomponents in the one or more lighting fixtures can be protected. Themeans for managing heat may, for example, take the form of one or moreheat sinks and/or may involve utilizing a switching circuit that, when alighting fixture that utilizes two light-emitting devices is employed,prevents the two circuits for the light-emitting devices from beingenergized at the same time during use. In some cases, a thermal cutoffmay be added to prevent the lighting fixture(s) from overheating.

The method 1200 also includes determining a total radiometric power tobe applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lighting fixturesso as to produce a desired power density at any exposed surface (i.e.,unshielded surface) within the volumetric space during the period oftime (act 1215). The determination is, in the illustrated method, basedon the second data and third data, though it can be made based oncombinations of the first data, the second data, the third data, and/orthe fourth data. As discussed above, the desired power density may be orinclude a minimum integrated irradiance equal to a value between 0.01mW/cm² and 10 mW/cm². The minimum integrated irradiance may, forexample, be equal to 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm²,0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², 0.35 mW/cm², 0.40mW/cm², 0.45 mW/cm², 0.50 mW/cm², 0.55 mW/cm², 0.60 mW/cm², 0.65 mW/cm²,0.70 mW/cm², 0.75 mW/cm², 0.80 mW/cm², 0.85 mW/cm², 0.90 mW/cm², 0.95mW/cm², 1.00 mW/cm², or some other value in the above-specified range.The minimum integrated irradiance may be measured from any unshieldedpoint in the volumetric space, a distance of 1.5 m from anyexternal-most luminous surface of the lighting device, nadir, or someother point or surface in the volumetric space. In this manner,dangerous pathogens in the volumetric space are effectively deactivated.

In one example, the total radiometric power to be applied to thevolumetric space can be determined according to the following formula:Total radiometric power=(Minimum integrated irradiance (mW/cm²)*Duration(fractional day))/Volume of volumetric space (ft³), where the durationrepresents the amount of time per day that the volumetric space is to beoccupied, and where the volume of the volumetric space is calculated bymultiplying the length, height, and width of the volumetric space.

In some cases, e.g., when the arrangement of one or more lightingfixtures includes one or more lighting fixtures, such as the lightingfixtures 500, that are operable in different modes, the totalradiometric power may be calculated for each of the modes and thensummed to produce the total radiometric power to be applied to thevolumetric space.

Once the total radiometric power to be applied to the volumetric spacehas been determined, the determined total may be compared to otherapplications (i.e., other volumetric spaces) for which disinfectionlevels have actually been measured, so as to verify that the totaldetermined radiometric power for the volumetric space will be sufficientto deactivate dangerous pathogens.

The method 1200 then includes installing the determined arrangement oflighting fixtures in the volumetric space (act 1220), which can be donein any known manner, such that the determined total radiometric powercan be applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lightingfixtures. The method 1200 optionally includes the act of applying thedetermined total radiometric power to the volumetric space via the oneor more lighting fixtures (act 1225). By applying the determined totalradiometric power, which is done without using any photosensitizers orreactive agents, produces the desired power density within thevolumetric space during the period of time. In turn, dangerous pathogenswithin the volumetric space are, over the designated period of time,deactivated by the specially arranged and configured lighting fixtures.

In some cases, act 1225 may also involve controlling the one or morelight fixtures, which may done via one or more controllers (e.g., thecontroller 120, the controller 520) communicatively connected to thelight fixtures. More specifically, the wavelength, the intensity, thebandwidth, or some other parameter of the disinfecting light (e.g., thelight having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm) may becontrolled or adjusted. This may be done automatically, e.g., when theone or more controllers detect, via one or more sensors, that thewavelength, the intensity, the bandwidth, or some other parameter of thedisinfecting light has strayed, responsive to a control signal receivedfrom a central controller located remotely from the one or more lightingfixtures, and/or responsive to an input received from a user or operatorof the lighting fixtures (e.g., entered via one of the client devices70). In one example, the one or more light fixtures can be controlledresponsive to new or altered first, second, third, and/or fourth databeing received and/or detected (e.g., via a photo controller). In anyevent, such control or adjustment helps to maintain the desired powerintensity, such that the one or more lighting fixtures continue toeffectively deactivate dangerous pathogens throughout the volumetricspace.

It will be appreciated that the volumetric space may vary in sizedepending upon the given application. As an example, the volumetricspace may have a volume up to and including 25,000 ft³ (707.92 m³). Insome cases, the volumetric space may be partially defined or bounded bya plane of the one or more lighting fixtures and a floor plane of thevolumetric space. As an example, the volumetric space may be partiallydefined by an area that extends between 0.5 m below a plane of the oneor more lighting fixtures and 24 in. (60.96 cm) above a floor plane ofthe volumetric space or an area that extends between 1.5 m below a planeof the one or more lighting fixtures and 24 in. (60.96 cm) above a floorplane of the volumetric space. The volumetric space may alternatively bedefined by areas that are a different distance from the plane of the oneor more lighting fixtures and/or the floor plane of the volumetricspace.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the acts 1205, 1210, 1215, 1220,and 1225 of the method 1200 may be implemented by the server 66, one ofthe client devices 70, some other machine or device, a person, such as auser, a technician, an administrator, or operator, associated with thevolumetric space, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example control device 1325 via which some of thefunctionalities discussed herein may be implemented. In some versions,the control device 1325 may be the server 66 discussed with respect toFIG. 1, the local controller 120 discussed with respect to FIG. 2, thedosing feedback system 124 discussed with respect to FIG. 2, the localcontroller 520 discussed with respect to FIG. 9D, or any other controlcomponents (e.g., controllers) described herein. Generally, the controldevice 1325 is a dedicated machine, device, controller, or the like,including any combination of hardware and software components.

The control device 1325 may include a processor 1379 or other similartype of controller module or microcontroller, as well as a memory 1395.The memory 1395 may store an operating system 1397 capable offacilitating the functionalities as discussed herein. The processor 1379may interface with the memory 1395 to execute the operating system 1397and a set of applications 1383. The set of applications 1383 (which thememory 1395 may also store) may include a lighting setting application1381 that is configured to generate commands or instructions toimplement various lighting settings and transmit thecommands/instructions to a set of lighting devices. It should beappreciated that the set of applications 1383 may include one or moreother applications 1382.

Generally, the memory 1395 may include one or more forms of volatileand/or non-volatile, fixed and/or removable memory, such as read-onlymemory (ROM), electronic programmable read-only memory (EPROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), erasable electronic programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), and/or other hard drives, flash memory, MicroSD cards, andothers.

The control device 1325 may further include a communication module 1393configured to interface with one or more external ports 1385 tocommunicate data via one or more networks 1316 (e.g., which may take theform of one or more of the networks 74). For example, the communicationmodule 1393 may leverage the external ports 1385 to establish a WLAN forconnecting the control device 1325 to a set of lighting devices and/orto a set of bridge devices. According to some embodiments, thecommunication module 1393 may include one or more transceiversfunctioning in accordance with IEEE standards, 3GPP standards, or otherstandards, and configured to receive and transmit data via the one ormore external ports 1385. More particularly, the communication module1393 may include one or more wireless or wired WAN, PAN, and/or LANtransceivers configured to connect the control device 1325 to the WANs,PANs, and/or LANs.

The control device 1325 may further include a user interface 1387configured to present information to a user and/or receive inputs fromthe user. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the user interface 1387 includes adisplay screen 1391 and I/O components 1389 (e.g., capacitive orresistive touch sensitive input panels, keys, buttons, lights, LEDs,cursor control devices, haptic devices, and others).

In general, a computer program product in accordance with an embodimentincludes a computer usable storage medium (e.g., standard random accessmemory (RAM), an optical disc, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, orthe like) having computer-readable program code embodied therein,wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed bythe processor 1379 (e.g., working in connection with the operatingsystem 1397) to facilitate the functions as described herein. In thisregard, the program code may be implemented in any desired language, andmay be implemented as machine code, assembly code, byte code,interpretable source code or the like (e.g., via C, C++, Java,Actionscript, Objective-C, Javascript, CSS, XML, and/or others).

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact witheach other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it isobvious that it is meant otherwise.

This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does notdescribe every possible embodiment, as describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implementnumerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this application.

1. A system configured to provide light and disinfect air in anenvironment, the system comprising: an HVAC unit configured to provideair to the environment; and a lighting device configured to deactivatemicroorganisms in the air, the lighting device comprising: a housing;means for mounting the housing to a surface in the environment; one ormore first light-emitting elements comprising one or more light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) arranged in the housing and configured to each producedisinfecting light having a wavelength in a first range of wavelengths;and one or more second light-emitting elements arranged in the housingand configured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength ina second range of wavelengths different from the first range ofwavelengths; wherein the disinfecting light produced by the one or moreLEDs and the disinfecting light produced by the one or more secondlight-emitting elements mix to form a combined light, the combined lightbeing visible light other than white light.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the lighting device heats air proximate to the lighting deviceto a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the air providedby the air handling unit, thereby creating an air convection currentproximate to the lighting device.
 3. The lighting device of claim 1,wherein the visible light has u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIEChromaticity Diagram that lie outside of an area that is bounded (i)vertically between 0.007 Duv below and 0.007 Duv above a planckian locusdefined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 color standard, and (ii) horizontallybetween a correlated color temperature (CCT) isoline of betweenapproximately 1500 K and 7000 K.
 4. The lighting device of claim 1,wherein the combined light has a disinfecting dose of at least 0.06J/cm² measured from any unshielded point in the environment.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-converting elementscomprise one or more phosphors.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein theone or more phosphors comprise red phosphors and green phosphors.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises: meansfor maintaining a junction temperature of the one or more LEDs below amaximum operating temperature of the one or more LEDs; and means fordirecting the disinfecting light produced by the one or more LEDs andthe disinfecting light produced by the one or more second light-emittingelements.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more secondlight-emitting elements comprise one or more light-converting elements.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first range of wavelengthscomprises wavelengths between 400 nm and 420 nm, and wherein the secondrange of wavelengths comprises wavelengths greater than 500 nm.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the second range of wavelengths compriseswavelengths between 530 nm and 580 nm or between 600 nm and 650 nm. 11.The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises oneor more third light-emitting elements arranged in the housing andconfigured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength in athird range of wavelengths different from the first and second ranges ofwavelengths.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first range ofwavelengths comprises wavelengths less than 500 nm, the second range ofwavelengths comprises wavelengths between 530 nm and 580 nm, and thethird range of wavelengths comprises wavelengths between 600 nm and 650nm.
 13. A method, comprising: providing air to an environment via anHVAC unit; deactivating microorganisms in the air in the environment viaa lighting device, the lighting device comprising a housing, means formounting the housing to a surface in the environment, one or more firstlight-emitting elements comprising one or more light-emitting diodes(LEDs) arranged in the housing and configured to each producedisinfecting light having a wavelength in a first range of wavelengths,and one or more second light-emitting elements arranged in the housingand configured to each produce disinfecting light having a wavelength ina second range of wavelengths different from the first range ofwavelengths, wherein the disinfecting light produced by the one or moreLEDs and the disinfecting light produced by the one or more secondlight-emitting elements mix to form a combined light, the combined lightcomprising visible light other than white light.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the visible light has u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIEChromaticity Diagram that lie outside of an area that is bounded (i)vertically between 0.007 Duv below and 0.007 Duv above a planckian locusdefined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 color standard, and (ii) horizontallybetween a correlated color temperature (CCT) isoline of betweenapproximately 1500 K and 7000 K.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising circulating the air proximate to the lighting device.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the act of providing air to the environmentvia the HVAC unit comprises providing air to a first room in theenvironment via the HVAC unit, and wherein the act of deactivatingmicroorganisms in the air in the environment via the lighting devicecomprises deactivating microorganisms in the air in the first room viathe lighting device, the method further comprising providing, via theHVAC unit, a portion of the air in the first room to a second room inthe environment, the second room being structurally separate from thefirst room.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of deactivatingmicroorganisms in the air in the environment via the lighting devicecomprises outputting the combined light at a disinfecting dose of atleast 0.06 J/cm² measured from any unshielded point in the environment.18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first range of wavelengthscomprises wavelengths between 400 nm and 420 nm.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein the first range of wavelengths comprises wavelengths ofabout 405 nm.
 20. The method of claim 43, wherein the first range ofwavelengths has an integrated irradiance of at least 0.035 mW/cm²measured from any unshielded point in the environment that is 1.5 m fromany point on any external most luminous surface of the lighting device.